Gay marriage PAC formed to re-elect supporters

Minnesotans United for All Families is forming a political action committee to help re-elect state lawmakers who supported passage of the bill legalizing same-sex marriage.

The group led the effort last fall to defeat an amendment to the state constitution that would have limited marriages to heterosexual couples. After that victory, it pushed for the legalization of same-sex marriage at the Legislature.

"MN United PAC will work tirelessly to ensure that the leaders in the Legislature -- Republican and Democrat -- who voted 'yes' for marriage this year have the grassroots and financial support they need to be re-elected," said Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United, said in a statement Wednesday, May 15.

"These legislators cast an important historic vote, and now it's our turn to show our appreciation and tell them that we've got their back."

Minnesota's same-sex marriage bill passed the House on a 75-59 vote last week and the Senate on Monday, 37-30. Gov. Mark Dayton signed it into law Tuesday.

Four Republicans in the House and one in the Senate crossed party lines to vote for the measure.

And several House and Senate DFLers from districts that supported the amendment last fall voted to legalize same-sex marriage, which could expose them to some re-election challenges.

John Helmberger, CEO of the Minnesota Family Council and chairman of Minnesota for Marriage, the group that led the opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage, said his group has heard from many "who feel betrayed by their legislators and want to hold them accountable.

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"We plan to help them do that. We haven't made any decisions, but all options are on the table," Helmberger said in a statement Wednesday.

Minnesotans United for All Families relied on more than 27,000 volunteers and 87,000 donors who gave more than $12.7 million in cash and services.